July 2020

QIAamp® Viral RNA

Mini Handbook
For purification of viral RNA
from plasma, serum, cell-free
body fluids, and culture
supernatants

Sample to Insight__
Kit Contents
QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit (50) (250)

Catalog no. 52904 52906

No. of preps 50 250

QIAamp Mini Spin Columns 50 250

Collection Tubes (2 ml) 150 750

Buffer AVL* 31 ml 155 ml

Buffer AW1* (concentrate) 19 ml 98 ml

Buffer AW2† (concentrate) 13 ml 66 ml

Buffer AVE †
3 x 2 ml 20 ml

Carrier RNA (poly A) 310 µg 1550 µg

* Contains chaotropic salt, which is an irritant. Not compatible with disinfecting reagents that contain bleach. See
page 6 for safety information.
†
Contains sodium azide as a preservative.

4 QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Handbook 07/2020

Shipping and Storage
QIAamp Mini spin columns should be stored dry at room temperature (15–25°C); storage at
higher temperatures should be avoided. All solutions should be stored at room temperature
unless otherwise stated. Under these conditions, QIAamp Mini spin columns and all buffers
and reagents can be stored until the expiration date on the kit box, without showing any
reduction in performance.

Intended Use
The QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit is intended for molecular biology applications. This product
is not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease.

QIAcube® Connect is designed to perform fully automated purification of nucleic acids and
proteins in molecular biology applications. The system is intended for use by professional users
trained in molecular biological techniques and the operation of QIAcube Connect.

All due care and attention should be exercised in the handling of the products. We recommend
all users of QIAGEN® products to adhere to the NIH guidelines that have been developed for
recombinant DNA experiments or to other applicable guidelines.

QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Handbook 07/2020 5

Safety Information
When working with chemicals, always wear a suitable lab coat, disposable gloves, and
protective goggles. For more information, please consult the appropriate safety data sheets
(SDSs). These are available online in convenient and compact PDF format at
www.qiagen.com/safety, where you can find, view, and print the SDS for each QIAGEN kit
and kit component.

CAUTION
DO NOT add bleach or acidic solutions directly to the sample
preparation waste.

Buffers AVL and AW1 contain guanidine salts, which can form highly reactive compounds
when combined with bleach. If liquid containing these buffers is spilt, clean with a suitable
laboratory detergent and water. If the spilt liquid contains potentially infectious agents, clean
the affected area first with laboratory detergent and water, and then with 1% (v/v) sodium
hypochlorite.

Quality Control
In accordance with QIAGEN’s ISO-certified Quality Management System, each lot of QIAamp
Viral RNA Mini Kit is tested against predetermined specifications to ensure consistent product
quality.

6 QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Handbook 07/2020

Introduction
Please take a few moments to read this handbook carefully before beginning your preparation.
The “Important Notes“, on page 16, and the comments within the QIAamp Viral RNA Mini
protocols, beginning on page 26, are particularly valuable.

Principle

QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kits provide the fastest and easiest way to purify viral RNA for reliable
use in amplification technologies. Viral RNA can be purified from plasma (treated with
anticoagulants other than heparin), serum and other cell-free body fluids. Samples may be
fresh or frozen, but if frozen, should not be thawed more than once. Repeated freeze–thawing
of plasma samples will lead to reduced viral titers and should be avoided for optimal sensitivity.
Cryoprecipitates accumulate when samples are subjected to repeated freeze–thaw cycles. This
may lead to clogging of the QIAamp membrane when using the vacuum protocol.

QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kits are for general use and can be used for isolation of viral RNA
from a wide variety of viruses, but performance cannot be guaranteed for every virus.

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